Synthesis and VUV Spectral Properties of Red-Emitting K₂Gd_0.97Zr (PO₄)₃:3mol%Eu³⁺ Phosphor via Down-Conversion

Abstract:

K₂Gd_0.97Zr (PO₄)₃:3mol% Eu³⁺ were prepared by the solid-state diffusion method and under a vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) region, photoluminescence properties of the phosphor were examined. The phenomenon of visible quantum harvesting via DC was observed in synthesized phosphor for the Gd³⁺–Eu³⁺ pair. In the process of quantum harvesting, the two visible light photons are emitted per absorbed VUV photon. This phenomenon occurred upon the 190 nm excitation of Gd³⁺ at the ⁶G_J level through a two-step energy transfer from Gd³⁺ to Eu³⁺ by cross-relaxation and sequential transfer of the remaining excitation energy. The consequences are that the quantum efficiency of the K₂Gd_0.97Zr (PO₄)₃:3mol% Eu³⁺ phosphor in the energy transfer process from Gd³⁺ to Eu³⁺ could reach 233%. The quantum efficiency goes to more than 200% (i.e., 233%) at just low concentration Eu³⁺ ions (i.e. 3% only). This novelty was found in the prepared phosphor. Therefore, the phosphor K₂Gd_0.97Zr (PO₄)₃:3mol% Eu³⁺ was a potential quantum harvester and potential candidate for mercury free fluorescent lamp and plasma display panel.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 1177)
• Pages: 101-108
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-8uuvsd
• Online since: June 2023
• Authors: Shailesh R. Jaiswal*, Pankaj A. Nagpure, Shreeniwas K. Omanwar
• Keywords: Down-Conversion, Quantum Cutting, Quantum Efficiency, Vacuum Ultraviolet

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